USA Today via Reuters
Sep 29, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws a pitch against Toronto Blue Jay in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 29, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws a pitch against Toronto Blue Jay in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
New York Yankees star pitcher Gerrit Cole is amongst the highest-paid baseball players in 2021. In 2019, the Yankees got Cole onboard for a hefty sum, hoping he would take them to new heights.
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The New York Yankees signed Gerrit Cole on a $324 million contract, the fourth largest deal in MLB history. Interestingly, he is also the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history.
New York Yankees have a nine-year contract with Gerrit Cole
Cole was part of the Houston Astros, before becoming a free agent in 2019. Yankees had set sight on him, ever since he defeated them alongside the Houston Astros in ALCS 2018. So when Cole was up for grabs, the Yankees signed a huge nine-year deal, making a record-buy.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 5, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of the American League Wildcard game at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Yankees are paying $36 million per year to their ace pitcher, and his contract will end in 2028. However, Cole has the player’s opt-out option in the contract after 2024. Before joining the New York Yankees, Cole was earning $20.25 million with Houston Astros.
Gerrit has a net worth of $50 million, which majorly comes from his deal with Yankees.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 29, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws a pitch against Toronto Blue Jay in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Cole’s journey with the New York Yankees
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It would be unfair to say that the New York Yankees paid too much for Gerrit Cole. Post joining the Yankees, Cole became the second-best starting pitcher in 2020. In his second season with the Yankees, he finished with 16-8, walking 41 hitters, sending out 243 batters.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 5, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) walks to the dugout after being pulled against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning of the American League Wildcard game at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
However, everything fell short, when he couldn’t produce his best start on the biggest stage. On Tuesday, the Yankees faced their biggest rivals, Boston Red Sox, for the final AL Wild card spot. While expectations from Cole were high, he ended up leaving the field after the third innings, because of his poor pitching. Notably, this was the shortest innings that he had pitched in his entire career.
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After a disappointing performance, and the worst start of his career, what do you think his future with the Yankees will look like?
